(The Center Square) – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, faced intense scrutiny Thursday at his second confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Senators raised concerns over his past statements on vaccines, public health, and agency leadership. The opposition to Kennedy stems from a history of connecting autism, which affects about one in 36 children, to vaccines and other controversial public health statements.
The hearing had familiar faces as four senators sit on both committees: Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Tim Scott, R-S.C., and seemingly followed questioning from his first confirmation hearing with the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.
Kennedy opened by offering condolences to the victims of the plane crash in Washington, D.C., before addressing questions over his stance on vaccines, stating once again, “I am pro-safety” and “pro-vaccine.”
Sen. Cassidy began the hearing by stating that he wants the president “to be successful,” adding that “any action you take as HHS Secretary will shape his legacy.”
Cassidy expressed reservations over Kennedy’s views despite the camaraderie and agreement on some issues and warned that undermining vaccine trust could cost lives. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., supported Kennedy’s right to question vaccines, calling for an open debate. The two Republican doctors clashed over the Hepatitis B vaccine for infants.
Sen Patty Murray, D-Wash., confronted Kennedy over his past alleged sexual misconduct allegations with a babysitter, which he denied. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., pressed Kennedy on the federal vaccine injury reporting systems, in which he claimed the CDC restricts access to vaccine safety data, which prevents independent scientists from reviewing raw data.
Kennedy was also questioned on reproductive health, stating he would implement Trump’s policies on mifepristone and appoint anti-abortion employees. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., raised concerns about his understanding of emergency abortion care.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., asked whether Kennedy would rescind a Biden-era HHS rule prohibiting transgender discrimination in federally funded medical care. Kennedy responded that the rule was “anti-science.”
On drug prices, Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., asked if Kennedy would commit to negotiating lower costs, citing the Biden administration’s Medicare negotiations. Kennedy said, “I’ve spoken to President Trump about negotiations; he’s absolutely committed to negotiating lower drug prices.”
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., confronted Kennedy over his 2019 trip to American Samoa, where he allegedly expressed vaccine skepticism months before a deadly measles outbreak. Markey cited this as a reason he would not vote for Kennedy’s confirmation.
Kennedy’s leadership plans at HHS were also in focus as Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., questioned his plan to fire 2,200 employees, including 600 from The National Institutes of Health. When asked how he would determine who to remove, Kennedy responded, “The ones who are corrupt.”
A heated exchange occurred between Kennedy and Sanders when the Senator accused the American political system of being corrupt to which Kennedy then claimed that many panel members, including Sanders, had accepted millions from the pharmaceutical industry. Sanders vehemently denied the claims, insisting that small donations, not corporate money, funded his campaign.
Sanders had previously questioned RFK Jr. on lowering drug costs and paid leave, repeatedly challenged his history of vaccine skepticism, and pressed him on scientific studies debunking the link between vaccines and autism. He also addressed concerns about Kennedy’s views on the COVID-19 vaccines and the lawsuit that followed during the pandemic.
Kennedy said he filed after the vaccine was offered to young children.
“Bobby, you say if I show you, you’re applying for the job,” Sanders said. “I mean, clearly, you should know this, and that is the scientific community has established that. That COVID vaccines saved millions of lives, and you’re casting doubt.”
The hearing concluded with senators from both parties expressing continued concerns with Cassidy, the top Republican on the committee, stating his vote was undecided and that he would take the weekend to think about it.
Kennnedy needs 51 votes to be confirmed for the position, with Vice President JD Vance holding the tiebreaking vote if necessary.